187. Devotions to the Blessed Sacrament

The 28th International Eucharistic Congress, held in Chicago in June 1926, was one of the greatest religious events in the history of the USA. The Congress was held in Soldiers Field, an immense stadium with a capacity of 350,000. Twelve Cardinals, over 500 Archbishops and Bishops, six thousand Priests, ten thousand Sisters, and hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Chicago for four days to honor Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist. On the last day, the solemn procession took place on the grounds of the large Seminary of Mundelein. Over 900,000 faithful gathered to honor Our Eucharistic Lord. The Cardinal Legate of the Holy Father carried the sacred monstrance. This Congress of devotion and prayer struck a contrast to the usual commercial and busy life of that great city. Even the President of the United States sent his personal representative. Every two years or so the Catholic world gathers in such an International Congress to honor Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist. Some Congresses have been: Carthage in 1930, Dublin in 1932, Buenos Aires in 1934, Manila in 1937, Budapest in 1938, Barcelona in 1952 and Rio de Janeiro in 1956. It is considered a great honour for a city to be chosen for an International Eucharistic Congress. Different nations always vie for the honour of standing hosts to our Blessed Lord during an International Congress, The illustration is a view of the Women's Day during the International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago in 1926.

Which are the most important devotions to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?

— The most important devotions to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament are: visits, Benediction, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Forty Hours' Devotion, and Eucharistic Congresses.

1. We should make visits to honour Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If possible, we should make at least one daily visit. When passing a church, we should go in, if only for half a minute, to greet Him, Who always waits patiently and eagerly for us.

Cardinal Bellarmine, while still a student, used to pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament every time he passed a church. When he was asked why he did this, he answered, "It would be ill manners to go by a friend's house without a word of greeting." The church door is always open to admit us, a constant invitation to us to visit Our Lord Who calls, "Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).

2. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a devotion during which the Holy Eucharist is exposed, prayers are said, and the blessing is given. It usually lasts from ten minutes to half an hour.

When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, the Salutaris Hostia or Ave Verum is usually sung. Just before the blessing is given, the Tantum Ergo is sung. The Blessed Sacrament is incensed when first exposed, and during the Tantum Ergo.

3. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament consists in placing the sacred Host in a monstrance at some height above the altar for the adoration of the faithful. The Blessed Sacrament is solemnly exposed on certain occasions, as after the parochial Mass, in the afternoon services on Sundays and holy days, on the feast of Corpus Christi, etc. The number of lighted tapers, unless there be special concession, must not be less than twelve. During the exposition, someone must always be on guard in the church.

An all-night vigil is kept before the Blessed Sacrament in the Repository on the night of Holy Thursday. In many places an all-night vigil is also held on New Year's Eve. It is usual, except for extraordinary cases, to pray before the solemnly exposed Sacrament on our knees. If it is discourteous to sit in the presence of an earthly king, how much more is it before the Son of God!

4. The Forty Hours' Devotion is a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, in memory of the forty hours during which the Body of Jesus stayed in the Holy Sepulchre, after His burial on Good Friday up to His resurrection on Easter.

The devotion lasts forty hours, during which relays of adorers take turns offering prayers and meditation to Christ in the Blessed Eucharist solemnly exposed. The devotion begins on the first day with Holy Mass, in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. At the end of the Mass there is a solemn procession, and the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the throne at the high altar. The devotion ends with another Mass. During the forty hours, no requiem Masses may be said in the church.

What is a Eucharistic Congress?

— A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of Catholics which convenes for the purpose of giving public adoration to the Holy Eucharist.

The first Eucharistic Congress was held at Lille, France, on June 21, 1881.

1. These congresses aim to promote devotion to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, to honour Him in the memorial He left us. They aim to discuss means by which to make known Christ's gift to men. They may be local, provincial, diocesan, national, or international. National Congresses are held in a number of nations every few years.

The exercises of the congress include daily Masses attended by all the participants, daily communions, conferences, etc. Sometimes the participants are divided into various sections for better discussions and organization.

2. The most important of these congresses is the International Eucharistic Congress. It was started in 1892 and takes place every two years. The place is selected by a permanent committee with the approbation of the Holy Father. It is customary for the Pope to appoint a Legate, usually a Cardinal, to International Congresses; he presides over the most important functions as the representative of the Holy Father.

These international congresses, attended by hundreds of thousands, are most pleasing to Our Lord in the Eucharist. This satisfaction He shows by the fruitful results of such congresses. The spiritual life of the participants is renewed! and not rarely many who have become indifferent to the Faith renew their fervour. The spectacle of the devotion and piety of so many adoring the Sacrament is an edifying spectacle to non-Catholics, thousands of whom are converted. The nation selected for the congress is specially blessed.

3. International Eucharistic Congresses have been held: Rome in 1922, Amsterdam in 1924, Chicago in 1926, Sydney in 1928, Carthage in 1930, Dublin in 1932, Buenos Aires in 1934, Manila in 1937, and Budapest in 1938. It is surely a signal honour for a city to be chosen seat of an International Eucharistic Congress. The 35th International Congress was to have been held in Nice, France, in 1940, but was suspended because of the war.

Of all the International Eucharistic Congresses, that of Manila was probably the most international, pilgrims coming to represent fifty-four nations of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. On the last day, the solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place along Dewey Boulevard by the sea, winding up at the monumental altar on the New Luneta. It is officially estimated that over 600,000 people gathered for this last ceremony to honour our Eucharistic Lord.

What are Catholic Congresses?

— Catholic Congresses are public conferences or gatherings of Catholics, for either devotional or practical purposes. Some Congresses, like Eucharistic Congresses, are chiefly devotional; others aim at taking counsel and proposing steps to meet needs of the Church. However, these congresses do not take part in or interfere with the government of the Church, which resides exclusively in the bishops.

They merely cooperate, support, make suggestions, in order to make such government more effective. Each congress must have the authorization of the bishop.